On December 2, 2017, a minor cargo spill occurred in the coast of Mykonos prompting the Greece government to explore the obligations of shipowners and insurance companies.
What happened?
The cargo vessel ‘Little Seyma’ was enroute from Russia to Cyprus Famagusta port loaded with 2,700 tons of animal feed when it reportedly ran aground off the islet of Tragonissi near Mykonos in the Aegean Sea, leaking some of its cargo into the Sea.
Insurance refuses to cover damages:
After the incident, the insurer of the vessel informed that the vessel had not paid any insurance and thus refused to cover the damages it caused.
The insurer ultimately agreed to cover the damage “on a voluntary basis,” but not without challenging a proposal by the head of Greece’s state port authority for vessels that cannot prove they have paid their insurance being prevented from sailing.
Government mulls over idea:
The legislation being prepared by the government seeks to uphold the obligations of insurance companies, even in the case of foreign vessels transiting Greek waters so as to cover the damages the vessels cause to its waters.
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Source: Ekathimerini
